The Marriage of Sense and Soul: Integrating Science and Religion

Science and religion have always been considered mutually exclusive concepts, but are they really? Philosopher Ken Wilber shows how we might begin to think about science and religion in ways that allow for their reconciliation, on terms acceptable to both camps.

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Publisher's Summary

Science and religion have always been considered mutually exclusive concepts, but are they really? Philosopher Ken Wilber shows how we might begin to think about science and religion in ways that allow for their reconciliation, on terms acceptable to both camps. Science is one of the most profound methods humans have devised for devining truth, and religion focuses on discerning meaning. Wilber shows that not only is science compatible with the world's religions, it is indeed necessary to unite the two. He presents an elegant and accessible program which is breathtaking in its scope - one that cannot fail to change the way you look at your world.

What the Critics Say

"The author demonstrates a remarkable ability to examine and summarize disparate theories and to arrive at stimulating conclusions. The book is impeccably read by Denis deBoisblanc, and the production quality is of the highest order." (AudioFile)

Ken Wilber's Sense and Soul surpasses any other preseentation on the dialogue between science and spirituality. It explains in clear language what has lead to the impasse between these essential elements of culture and how a reapproachment can be made which honors the methods and practices of both. Wilber's unique contribution lies in his thorough knowledge of the Perennial tradition of deep faith and in his encyclopedic knowledge of the philsophy of science.

I think this book, for some at least, would better to read, rather than having it read to them. It is rather dense and you must keep your mind well focused to follow it. Let your mind drift off to contemplate a thought it has provoked, and by the time you re-focus your attention the Audible reader may well have moved on to new territoty.

for everybody who always thought that there should be a way to integrate the undeniable facts of modern science and the rich truths of the world's wisdom traditions. brilliant, exciting, but nothing for listening to while not being fully concentrated.

This is a great book. For scientists, it will probably enrage them. New agers will probably get nervous. This book will clarifty what living on this planet is really about...and this book just gives a taste of what is possible. Enjoy it and share it!

Seeing the comments on the density of the material and growing rather tired of typing notes in bookmarks, I remembered that it is mentioned early on in the audiobook that there is a companion guide to keep track of key points. I had to jump on here to see if there was indeed a printable file provided, but alas, there is not. So, I can get one for I Am a Pole and So Can You but not for this. Bummer.

I liked this a great deal, though I do not agree completely with Wilber's position and will probably listen to it several more times. The narrator occasionally mispronounces a term, but this is rare enough that it does not hamper the listening. Although the author moves on, and you can lose material as you woolgather, it is also true that some topics are reworked repeatedly. There is a lot of review in this book, which can be helpful or irritating, depending on how intently you are trying to follow his arguments. I found it a helpful introduction to his thought, and I wish he had a good deal more available in the audio format.

I can read some pretty technical and boring things and manage to keep myself pretty entertained. Listening to this, I wanted to put my hand in a rat trap, just to break up the monotony.

He makes some interesting observations, maybe worth suffering through if only for the information. His vision of "great chain" and "four quadrants" are pretty empty ideas, but he relies on them with a blind faith rivaling any I've seen. He also spent about $5,000 bucks repeating 10 of the same 50cent words. If you pick at random any place on this book, I?m sure if you wait 10 seconds you?ll hear the word ?modernity?.

This could have been done in 30 minutes just as well, or better really. The spends most of the time, just clarifying the same idea, over and over. This became an exercise in Wilber chasing his own "paradigm" like a tail, never really able to articulate it in a way that works. I'd rather listen to my ex-girlfriend talk for 5 hours about her dreams, where she's shopping with somebody that is her friend, but "like, wasn't my friend... you know?"

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